SuperSpurs - Steve Perryman MBE

Steve Perryman made his league debut at the age of 17 and became captain of Spurs at the tender age of 20. He holds the Spurs record for most appearances in the league, FA Cup, League Cup and Europe.

Steve Perryman has won more medals than any other Tottenham Hotspur player; 2 League Cups, 2 UEFA Cups, 2 FA Cups and was also voted Football Writers' Player of the Year in 1982.

In 1986 Perryman was awarded the MBE for services to football and is currently Director of Football at Exeter City FC.

Stephen John Perryman was born on 21st December 1951 in Ealing, Middlesex. He played for Ealing Schools' FA XI, Middlesex Schools' FA and London Schools' FA.

Apprenticeship at Tottenham Hotspur FC followed in July 1967 and in January 1969 he became a full professional. In September 1969, at the age of 17, he made his Spurs league debut against Sunderland.

Steve played for England Youth gaining 4 schoolboy caps and 4 England youth caps. His talent at Spurs continued to shine and he also received a record 17 England Under 23 caps.

He had a natural ability to read the game which became his hallmark but in these initial years Perryman was a ball winning midfield player and man marker. I used to watch him at every game at White Hart Lane and to us he was Mr Dependable, a huge asset and one of our favourites.

At the age of 20 Steve became the youngest player in recent Spurs history to captain the side. It was a role he relished and he captained the side throughout the rest of his Spurs career. Perryman, with his ability to read the game, was a versatile player, which meant he could not only play in midfield, but in a central defensive role, sweeper and finally at right back.

Steve led Spurs to League Cup Glory in 1971, the UEFA Cup in 1972, the League Cup for a second time in 1973 and Runners-up in the UEFA Cup in 1974. It was back on the trophy trail in 1981, winning the FA Cup which Spurs, still led by Steve Perryman, retained the following year.

Steve became only the third man in history to lift the FA Cup for two consecutive years and the second Spurs legend to do so after Double Winning Captain Danny Blanchflower in 1961 and 1962.

Steve was awarded "Footballer of Year" by the Football Writers Association in 1982 and was capped by England at the age of 30, away against Iceland.

Perryman was back at Wembley in the 1982 Milk Cup Final where Spurs met Liverpool who went on to win 3-1 after extra time. Spurs reached the UEFA Cup Final in 1984 against Belgium side Anderlecht. Steve unfortunately missed the second leg at White Hart Lane as Spurs went on to win in a penalty shoot-out.

In 1984 he became Steve Perryman MBE for his services to football.

Playing Career:

Tottenham Hotspur FC 1969-1986 (866 app, 39 goals)

Oxford United FC 1986 (17 app, 0 goals)

Brentford FC 1986-1990 (67 app, 0 goals)

Records (Tottenham Hotspur):

Youngest captain (aged 20) in recent history

Record appearance holder in each major competition

Most frequent ever present (eight league seasons)

17 consecutive seasons registering at least one League goal

Only the third man in history to lift the F.A. Cup for two consecutive years.

Career Total: 950 appearances, 39 goals.